System and Method for Monitoring Information in a Network Environment

Abstract

A method for monitoring information in a network environment is provided that includes receiving one or more packets from a communication flow initiated by an end user. The information associated with the communication flow is then selectively communicated to a plurality of client-aware network elements.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 119,881, filed Apr. 9, 2002 and entitled “System and Method for Monitoring Information in a Network Environment.”TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates in general to the field of network communications and more particularly to a system and method for monitoring information in a network environment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Effective network communications is becoming increasingly important in today's society. One aspect of network communications relates to the ability to gather or to monitor information that is contained within a communication flow. Devices, components, and equipment within a network may wish to glean information from the communication flow in order to provide some capability or enhancement to entities within a network or to accommodate or account for an end user in some fashion. [0004] In monitoring or gleaning informati...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] From the foregoing, it may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a need has arisen for an improved network communications approach that provides the capability for multiple devices or components to receive information relating to communication flows. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for monitoring information in a network environment are provided that substantially eliminate or greatly reduce disadvantages and problems associated with conventional information monitoring or proxying techniques.

[0008] Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of technical advantages. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a network communications approach is provided that allows multiple devices or components within a network environment to receive information relating to a communication flow without burdening the overall network system. Effective communications may be realized because a single element is inserted in the communication flow instead of a series of intrusive devices that slow network communications. The single access element operates to share information among all interested devices and performs the sniffing or detecting function at a single location. The access element also avoids latency issues caused by network equipment that prolongs the delivery of a communication flow because of either processing requirements or the receiving and retransmitting of data.

[0009] Another advantage provided by one embodiment of the present invention relates to easier manageability for network architectures. This is achieved by having a single access element in the communication flow. Therefore, changes or modifications to the network in the communication flow implicate only that element instead of a series of devices or components in the communication flow. The integration of new components in the network is also made easier because only the access element is affected by the change in network configuration. Also, formatting, encryption / decryption, and compatibility issues with new equipment being introduced in the communication flow will only involve the access element instead of all of the equipment in the stream of the communication flow.

Problems solved by technology

Also, formatting, encryption / decryption, and compatibility issues with new equipment being introduced in the communication flow will only involve the access element instead of all of the equipment in the stream of the communication flow.

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